Fashion and literature are inseparable in time and space - reading the lines of Shakespeare's plays, we imagine Juliet's graceful dresses, Ophelia's flowing tunics and the shining domes of obstinate Katarina's crinolines, which every modern young lady wants to wear at least once in her life. Or at least take a picture nearby. All the guests of the new exhibition-allusion "Shakespeare / mystery / 400", which has opened in the luxurious baroque walls of the Saltykov-Chertkov mansion on Myasnitskaya, have such a unique chance.
The spirit of the great and beautiful William Shakespeare will stay in the heart of Moscow until the fall, namely September 7, so there is plenty of time to get acquainted with the exhibition and it is quite possible that you will want to come here again and again. And the reason for this is not only the dresses. But first, I'll tell you about the outfits.
The most devoted servants of the fashion world took part in the work on the exhibition: students of the production departments of the Moscow Art Theater School, VGIK, GITIS, artists, designers and professionals of various theatrical specialties, as well as consultants - specialists from the Theater Museum named after A. A. Bakhrushin. And the most interesting thing is that many of the royal outfits of the Tudor era are created from … paper! Although outwardly they are no different from silk and velvet, reminding me of the chic outfits of the Oscar-winning heroine Gwyneth Paltrow in the movie "Shakespeare in Love". A veil of lace, waterfalls of brocade and a revealing neckline turned a 16th century lady into the most graceful creature in the world …
The gallery of historical costumes is decorated with portraits of the golden-haired Queen Elizabeth I, printed on the atlas, without which it is impossible to imagine Shakespeare's England.
And in the next hall there is a model of the famous Globus Theater, which hosted 3,000 spectators during the Elizabethan drama! The cheapest seats in those days were in the stalls, standing, and the most expensive - right on the stage, seated, to the left and right of the actors' scene. And yes, indeed, as in the ancient theater, the female roles were played by men in dresses with corsets:-)
By the way, wonderful exhibition guides can tell a million interesting stories: for example, I learned that Shakespeare's family had the most direct relation to fashion - the playwright's father was an extremely popular glove in Stratford and a woolen tycoon, through whose efforts in England they passed a law on the compulsory wearing of woolen caps. Thanks to such virtuoso marketing, Shakespeare Sr. enriched himself even more:) It is a pity that this family fashion brand has not survived to our glamorous days;)
Let's go back to the literature. Want to tickle your nerves? Descend into the mysterious basement, where many attractions await you: black and white silent comedies and color adaptations of Shakespeare, a scene with a scaffold and a guillotine, a boat with skulls, clay masks and medieval engravings, as well as a detective library with documents and portraits of applicants for authorship of plays Sir William and for dessert a hall with aromas named after King Lear, Macbeth, Romeo, Othello, Hamlet and other iconic heroes and heroines of the King of Tragedy.
And the most romantic moment of the exhibition-allusion "Shakespeare / mystery / 400", without a doubt, can be called the room with Juliet's mail, where at a large oak table lovers write letters to the Italian town of Verona, to Juliet's house!
Letters to Verona are delivered by Russian Post - look for answers to your questions to Juliet on the exhibition page on social networks.
And, finally, an attraction for the most daring - a quest in the labyrinth of the Minotaur, which will become the most objective test of your ingenuity and love for creativity of Shakespeare, who never goes out of fashion. The quest winners receive a prize!
Author: Diana Mitskevich